English Explanatory Dictionary

precarious

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Dangerously insecure or unstable; perilous.
  2. Depending on the intention of another.
adj
  1. Relating to incipient caries.

Pronunciation

/pɹɪˈkɛəɹi.əs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-precarious.wav

Word forms

precarious more precarious most precarious

Etymology

From Latin precārius (“begged for, obtained by entreaty”), from prex, precis (“prayer”). Compare French précaire, Portuguese precário, and Spanish and Italian precario.

Synonyms

unsteady rickety shaky tottering unsafe unstable wobbly touch-and-go

Related words

pray

Derived words

bioprecarity precariat precariously precariousness precarisation precarity precarization unprecarious
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